Pinewood Derby Workshop Helps Local Cub Scouts

Boy Scout Troop 86 of Vernon held their first annual Pinewood Derby Workshop on Saturday, January 5th at First Congregational Church of Vernon. More than 20 Cub Scouts from Vernon, Tolland, Manchester, Ellington and South Windsor attended. Troop 86 scouts and leaders worked with the Cub Scouts and their adult partners to help them design, cut and sand their own 7” wood block into a Pinewood Derby car.

"Building and racing a pinewood derby car is great fun and often the highlight of the scouting year for Cub Scouts, but a lot of families who are new to scouting or who don't have the right tools could use a bit of help and advice" says Kevin Cyr, a leader for Troop 86. Cyr's station at the workshop included how to use weights (cars cannot exceed 5 oz) and axles to get a car to run fast and straight down the track.

Building a Pinewood Derby car is educational as well. “Variations on the design-build-test-modify cycle are found throughout current STEM curriculums. The boys being able to follow through from the design stage to the completed project is an invaluable learning experience" says Andy DePalma, Troopmaster for Troop 86.

Troop 86 scouts had their past pinewood derby cars on display and shared tips on car designs that worked for them.

Cub Scouts will race their Pinewood Derby cars over the next few weeks with their local pack. The winners will be invited to compete in a district wide race and the top three cars from the district race will have a chance to compete in the Worldwide Pinewood Derby race held in New York City.

Boy Scout Troop 86 is based out of Vernon and open to youth aged 10-17. The troop meets weekly and runs monthly camping trips and other activities to engage youth and teach important life skills. For more information about the troop, email vernontroop86@yahoo.com or follow troop86vernon on Facebook.